Union Berlin take on title chasers Borussia Dortmund

Match Preview:

Thu, 29. August 2019

1. FC Union Berlin will be aiming to add to the first-ever point in the Bundesliga last week in Augsburg when title challengers Borussia Dortmund come to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei for Saturday’s late 18:30 kick-off.

Urs Fischer’s men claimed a 1-1 draw in Augsburg, getting the season off and running with a difficult set of fixtures to come for the Köpenick club.

Review: Andersson strikes in Augsburg, Dortmund bounce back in Köln

More than 2,500 Union fans watched their team leave the WWK Arena in Augsburg with a well-earned point last Saturday. Substitutes Sebastian Polter and Sebastian Andersson combined to great effect with nine minutes left — Polter holding his nerve and supplying the Swedish international striker who slotted into the corner of the net.

Meanwhile, Lucien Favre's team kicked off the matchday on Friday with a 3-1 win at 1. FC Köln. The promoted club went ahead after 29 minutes, Dominik Drexler scoring the goal. However, Dortmund rallied after the break and went on to dominate the second period. Jadon Sancho levelled with 20 minutes to go before strikes from Achraf Hakimi and Paco Alcacer steered Dortmund to all three points.

Record: Two rollercoaster matches in Dortmund

Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund meet on Saturday for the third time in competitive action. The previous two meetings came both in the German Cup second round — in season 2016/17 and 2018/19. Steven Skrzybski’s equaliser dragged the Köpenick club level with nine minutes left in October 2016, but Dortmund won the tie 3-0 on penalties at the Westfalenstadion. Similarly, last season’s encounter went to the wire with Polter’s double taking the game to extra time after a 2-2 draw. Marco Reus’ penalty well beyond 120 minutes of action sent the Yellow and Blacks through to the next round.

Fischer: Similarities between Leipzig & Dortmund

“When it comes to speed and transitions, both teams are similar,” said coach Fischer at the pre-match press conference. “In movement up front, they are very similar teams. We want to improve on the aspects from Leipzig against Borussia Dortmund.”

On the subject of learning from mistakes, the Swiss boss added: “It’s the same as we’ve said before, we want to develop and learn from our mistakes. You take things from the last game, then observe the individual development of the players.”

With Keven Schlotterbeck suspended for two matches, Fischer has a change to make at centre back. Grischa Prömel and Florian Hübner will miss out through injury, while Maurice Opfermann Arcones is still down with illness. Midfielder Christian Gentner has returned to training, but a decision will be made after Friday’s last session.

Service: No tickets left, Transport Advice

The match against Borussia Dortmund has been completely sold out for the past week.

With the streets around the stadium expected to be busy, supporters are advised to come by bike or by S-Bahn if possible.